Where there are moisture and oxygen, a mold is bound to be present. In fact, molds thrive in this wet and moist environment. They can be found both indoors and outdoors. When found indoors, such as in schools and office buildings, molds usually are a big problem. They have a great impact on the air quality and other such factors. This, in turn, has an effect on the health of the employees and students, as molds can cause some serious health issues and allergies.

Molds can be seen to grow everywhere, right from carpets to wood to paper, food etc. All these are places where the moisture content is relatively high. Molds can multiply very fast and the mold spores can waft through the air very easily. They cannot be seen by the naked eye. But the mold spores can contaminate the air quality, producing allergic reactions.

Mold remediation plan

A remediation plan to remove the mold in the building, be it household mold removal or commercial mold removal, especially for buildings such as offices and schools should be undertaken to know the extent of damage done. Getting a professional evaluation done helps in understanding the root cause and tackling the problem of mold removal will be easy. This also helps in proper maintenance and care of the building for many years to come. This is especially true for commercial buildings, as the structure also gets affected by the mold, and if not treated immediately, there will be great danger in the future.

The three main steps involved in this process of mold removal are:

Investigation

Evaluation

Remediation

How to clean up the mold in offices and schools?

There are many mold clean-up methods available. But everything again depends on the type of material affected with molds. It is a different type of clean-up process for books papers, carpets, wallboard, porous flooring, fiberglass insulation etc.

Here is a small compilation of some methods used in home mold removal. The household mold remediation methods can be applied for commercial purposes too.

By using wet vacuums, water can be removed from the carpets, floor, hard surfaces etc. But these wet vacuums should be used when the surface is still wet. Otherwise, they may spread the spores of the mold, causing further damage. The mold and the spores stick to the surface of the equipment. Hence, they need to be cleaned thoroughly, so that no mold stays inside the vacuum cleaner.

Steam cleaning can be done on upholstered furniture and carpets to remove molds.

Wiping the area with plain water or detergent water to remove the mold is also another effective method that removes molds. But these areas should dry up fast so that there is moisture content remaining. This method should not be used for wood.

Using HEPA (High-efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum helps in the complete and final cleanup of the areas affected by mold.

Discard materials affected with mold, which cannot be salvaged.

After following the different cleanup methods for mold removal, it is also essential to dispose of the contaminated material in the right way. While there are materials that can be rid of mold, some materials like tiles, fiberglass insulation etc., affected by molds, should simply be replaced with newer ones.

Every parent wants to provide the best for their child and they give utmost importance to the health of their children. After all, children are the next generation. Children spend a considerable amount of time at school. However, lately, it has been observed that their safety is at risk.

One of the prime reasons for this is not getting the air ducts at school cleaned regularly. If the quality of air is inside the school is poor, it has an adverse effect on the health of children and others inside the school. The school is considered a safe place for the children and hence adequate care must be taken to keep it that way.

Why should you clean the ducts at school?

If the quality of the air is poor it can affect the education of your child.

Here are some of the problems that could arise if the air duct cleaning is not done in school:

Children could suffer from short term and long term health issues such as asthma. This could happen as the children are exposed to dirt or debris in the air.

When children, teachers, and staff spend time in the polluted indoor air for a long time, they might fall sick often leading to high absenteeism.

When the students and staff stay home more often, there is a sharp decrease in their productivity levels.

Not having the air duct cleaning services done will impact the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. There will be a reduction in the efficiency and life expectancy of the HVAC equipment.

How to clean the air ducts at school

If you have been wondering how to clean air ducts at school, here is a list of the important steps that must be taken.

A cleaning bucket must be prepared. It must contain a mixture of warm water and a dish detergent.

The other important items to keep handy are a spray bottle with vinegar and a mold removal spray. You will also need a flashlight, your vacuum cleaner, and several rags.

Locate the ducts that you wish to clean. Some might have them at the base of the walls while other may have the vents located high. Some might be easily visible while others may be difficult to locate.

Find all of them so you can clean each one systematically. If you find any carpet, hanging pictures, or decorative items underneath the duct or near it, it is better to remove them. This will avoid getting any dust or debris on them and protecting them.

Remove the cover of the duct by using the appropriate method. Some might be fastened by screws and would need you to unscrew the. Others may slide off. If the vent is high, use a high chair or stool to gain access to it.

Using the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner, remove any dust or loose particles that are accumulated in the vent.

Use a rag dipped in the water and detergent mix, wipe the inside walls of the vent.

If you are unable to see inside clearly, use the flashlight to check for mold or mildew. If they are visible, wipe down with vinegar or spray some of the mold removal sprays.

Use a paper towel to clean up and then allow it to dry.

Once you are done, replace the cover of the vent and all other elements.

Conclusion

If you do not wish to clean the air ducts at school yourself, you could employ the services of one of the air duct cleaning companies. They would ensure that the air vent cleaning is done efficiently, quickly and professionally.

Hiring a mold remediation specialist is a very important decision that has far-reaching implications. And hence, this is one decision that should not be taken impulsively. A lot of effort thought and research is required to hire one of the best mold remediation specialist, who will help in effective household mold remediation.

Here are ten questions that you should ask mold remediation experts. The answers that they give, will surely impact your decision of going in for a specific mold remediation expert.

How is the mold testing done? What method followed?

Generally, as a rule, the first thing that is done is to first check the indoor air quality. Based on that result, the remediation specialist will give suggestions. But, simply checking the indoor air quality is not sufficient. They should also take a look at the mold, do a visual assessment and check the source of the moisture/leak, which is leading to mold formation. Understanding the method that they follow is a crucial factor in determining a good specialist.

Are you well qualified and certified?

An educated, certified and licensed remediation personnel is always better suited to the job efficiently. Although certain states do not require licenses for mold testing, there are certifications like Certified Microbial Consultant (CMC) and Certified Microbial Inspector (CMI), which the mold remediation experts have.

What is the mold sampling size that you take?

A few mold testers simply take one mold sample of indoors and outdoors. Based on this, they give their report. But, in reality, the sampling size depends on the size of the property, the areas affected etc. In certain situations, it is best to go in for many samples to assess the extent damage done.

Do you follow any quality control methods?

Good quality control methods are generally followed by experienced professionals and home mold remediation companies. If the answer to this question is in the negative, then you should consider other specialists.

What is the turnaround time?

A turnaround time of a few days is reasonable enough for the remediation personnel to give a clear and concise report. But, if this takes more than a week, then your repairs also get delayed, further aggravating the mold situation.

What is the type of report that you provide and who writes the report?

The inspection report should be prepared by the person who has assessed the situation. The report should not only contain laboratory data but also should contain the specific repairs to be undertaken to help in mold removal.

How long have you been in business?

It is really important to know how long the remediation company has been in business. They should be available in future, should any problem arise.

Is the company a member of the Better Business Bureau?

Try to find out the rating of the company from the local Better Business Bureau.

Any recent or past credible references?

Ask for past references, so that you can check out their work.

What is the kind of contract that you have?

Understand the contract and the payment terms that the remediation company follows.

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